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The MMA Minute: Who Is Takeya Mizugaki?
By Ariel Helwani
April 2, 2009
WEC 40 is just around the corner (VERSUS, Sunday, 9pm ET/6pm PT), and while we’ve recently featured interviews with Miguel Torres, Joseph Benavidez and Jeff Curran, ¼ of the co-main event hasn’t received the same amount of attention. It’s time to change that.
Let’s take a look at the man who will challenge Torres for his WEC bantamweight title on April 5: Takeya Mizugaki (11-2-2).
The former Shooto and Cage Force champion will be making his WEC debut in hostile territory on Sunday, with Torres enjoying the benefit of fighting in front of his hometown fans at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.
However, unlike many Japanese stars that have come to fight in the United States, Mizugaki will not need to get acclimated to fighting in a cage. That’s because his last five fights have been contested inside the steel structure for the Japanese-based Cage Force promotion.
“Fighting in the WEC, fighting in the states, challenging the champion at his hometown, it’s an ultimate ‘away’ fight,” Mizugaki recently said through manager/translator Shu Hirata. “I am expecting huge booing from the fans, and on top of that, it’s going to be a five-rounder. Everything about this fight is ‘first time’ for me so I am really looking forward to it.
The 25-year-old Mizugaki was crowned the Cage Force bantamweight champion in December when he defeated Masahiro Oishi via second round TKO. He is currently riding a five-fight winning streak, which is good news because after he was crowned Shooto’s 2005 rookie MVP, he struggled with a 1-2-2 record.
Prior to signing with WEC, Mizugaki spoke openly about wanting to test his strengths against America’s best bantamweights, especially Miguel Torres. He will finally get his chance against the best 135-pound fighter in the world on Sunday.
“I saw all of (Miguel Torres’) WEC fights and I don't see too many holes in his game,” Mizugaki said. “Maybe I am feeling that way because I have never seen him actually losing in the fight. I have to stick with what I do best which is the striking game.”
A Muay Thai specialist, Mizuagki prefers to stand and trade with his opponents. And while he may not be a household name just yet, many MMA pundits (including this one) have him ranked as a top-five bantamweight fighter. Obviously, a win over Miguel Torres would propel Mizuagki to the top of the 135-pound division.
“He is a great fighter and awesome champion. But regardless of opponent, I’m going to stick with my style and strike. I’m honored and excited for this opportunity.”
FIGHTIN’ WORDS
“I was sparring hard and I broke my leg, above my ankle, during an exchange. I’m very upset. All the hard work was done and it was time to fight. I was looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans. All I can say is that I’ll be back when I get healthy.”
- Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson talks about recently breaking his leg. As a result, his title defense against Gilbert Melendez at next week’s Strikeforce event has been canceled. No word on who Melendez will be fighting come April 11. This is the second time in a row that Thomson has been forced to withdraw from a fight on short notice due to an injury. He broke his toe prior to his scheduled title defense against Yves Edwards last November.
FINAL SECONDS
* The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is demanding an apology from UFC President Dana White for offensive remarks he made during a recent video blog. Here's hoping cooler heads prevail and White publicly acknowledges that his choice of words were in very poor taste. [GLAAD BLOG]
* Versus.com has learned that Sunday's WEC featherweight fight between Cub Swanson and Diego Nunes has been canceled due to a hand injury suffered by Nunes. A WEC official informed us that no replacement will be booked, leaving Swanson off the card.
* Strikeforce officially announced their June 6 card in St. Louis. Headlining the event will be a 182-pound catch weight fight between former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields (22-4-1) and former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler (16-4). Also announced is a Strikeforce light heavyweight title fight between champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (32-7) and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (7-1). Also rumored for the card is a welterweight fight between Joe Riggs and Phil Baroni, and an appearance by Kim Couture.
* Forrest Griffin confirmed during yesterday’s telecast of The Ultimate Fighter that he will be facing Thiago Silva at UFC 101 in August. Amir Sadollah also confirmed that he will be fighting on the same card, but no opponent has been announced.
* And finally, Ryan Bader may have suffered a tear in both his MCL and ACL during last night’s victory over Carmelo Marrero. No word just yet on the severity of his injury and how long he will be out.
